I can't do that since I'm in business and use FB for that. I just won't make any more posts about anything personal. I'm in a secret group for people with depression so I'm going to confine any health updates to that space.

I also smoke a lot of weed LOL

OK, I laughed … then attempted to memorize.. That was deep, possibly why I’m here.

@Varn It's not that I never feel happy, it's just not consistent enough or forcefully projected so as to not make other people uncomfortable or confused (I'm often perceived as cranky or aloof or in pain when that's not my internal experience at all). My wife has a similar problem with what she calls her "resting face" which is a slight frown that suggests she's far grimmer than she actually feels. A lot of functioning in the world is a sort of public relations where you "put your best foot forward" or "rise to the occasion" so as not to give people the easy opportunity to judge / misunderstand you, and to simply not make them uncomfortable. In recent generations, the teaching of social graces and etiquette has fallen by the wayside, and while such airs aren't without their problems, people who know "proper" behavior at least avoided the problem that Other People tend to make snap judgments about you based on superficial characteristics, and then stubbornly cling to those judgments even in the face of overwhelming evidence that they were wrong.

My introverted constitution is such that I find interacting with people exhausting enough without having to play-act a role for them, but I am gradually coming to see the value in it.

@mordant Such an awareness by both of you sounds like the key, well done. I feel close to the same, sensing the need to make an effort to set others at ease. I’m not being judgemental, often appreciating their conversations and presence..

I agree the social graces and protocols help more than they’re given credit. Often amazed by the polish and ease other’s navigate even basic encounters due to their familiarity with manors leaves me feeling inept in comparison. And as close as I pay attention, the best have so incorporated it into their persona … I can’t identify what’s just taken place, only close my mouth, step back.. and watch for more

...as I age, I’ll identify deficiencies it seems would take another lifetime to master.. I’ve no wife, and miss that ‘two heads’ capability in a social setting. Though seemingly out of the pool, I am drawn to no-nonsense. Though unsure what ‘they’re’ drawn to, I recognize and appreciate it, manors or not.

Lol. That's funny. I'm very single, so that might be part of my depression, besides my current medical issues. I'm becoming more isolated since I'm not working like I used to. So I'm trying to find a new niche.